The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-10-05

Tor the ep;ranccof two gentlemen, who
came 10 consult Mr.. Banting.
i A Frenchman, stranger, it seems.
z had died suddenly while on a visit to
the city some years before, leaving q
!arre sum OF nancy. One Of the two
gentlemen present had been appointed
trustee Of the fund. and the other claim
cd 10 b. mex, kin 10 the deceased, whose
cousin he asserted himself 10 be.
"Tbe deceased spoke Of having a
brother said the trustee in search of
whom he is travelling.
YES, his brother Antoine" said the
ether. who absconded from mis- country
wears ago. and Of whose death have
ample proofs
The papers were submitted 10 Mr.. Bant-
ing. who promised 10 examine them
and give his opinion next day, at which
time if everything was regular, the mon
ey was to be turned over 10 the claim
ant.
Il wasn't often that Ned paid much
attention to the business of the office /;
but the mention of certain names dur
ing the colloquy caused him TO prick up
his ears while seemingly busy with the
morning paper, and five minutes later he
was running at full speed to the house OF
his friends, the Bertrands.
At the appointed hour next morning
the same two gentlemen came to hear
Mr.. Banting's decision. Ned as before
had the morning paper before him, but
kept sharp ear turned.
These papers appear to he all right
observed Mr. Banting. | have scruti-
nized them carefully, and find nothing
wanting
Then it only remains to pay over the
money, / suppose said the heir expect
ant, rubbing his hands.
Nothing more" replied Mr.. Ban
ting
The trustee produced his accounts,
showing the sum on hand, which had
been largely enhanced by accuring in
terest, and was beginning 10 draw a
check for the amount, when Ned Ar
mour threw aside his paper and strobe
forward
Don't be too fast ," he exclaimed.
Ii was the first time Ned ever interfer-
ed in business consultation, and his un-
Gle looked up surprised.
Why, what do you know about it (? y
asked the latter.
"Tve witness in my private room |
think you'd better examine before pro-
ceeding further" answered Ned. Wait
moment and I'll bring him. Ned
stepped out and returned Immediately,
escorting an iniirin old man, whose eye
flashed as it fell on the covering coun-
tenance of the would-be-heir.
"a Tell these gentlemen who you are"
said Ned, though one of them doesn't
seem 10 need the information.
| am Antoine Bertrand" replied the
old man proudly, the brother and heir
of him on whose fortune this base wretch
seeks to lay his lawless grasp. 1t was
this villain, when the star of my illus
trious chief went down at Waterloo, who
through perjury and falsehood, drove me
into exile, and received as the reward of
his perjury, my entire wealth. The proofs
he now presents are as false as those he
manufactured then, but have the docu-
ments here which will leave no doubt as
10 my right
The false heir did not remain 10 see
inspected the packet of papers which
the old man presented. Suffice il to
say, they were found in ali respects cor
rect Marie Bertrand was now a match
for the wealthiest man in the land, and
when Ned told his uncle that it was she
whom he had picked out for wife, the
old gentleman didn', object; neither
did Marie nor her father; and Ned Ar
mour lived for many years, happiest of
husbands.